Dual purpose pumping apparatus



L. F. EASTON DUAL vPURPOSE PUMPING APPARATUS Oct. 18 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 7', 1930 Oct. .1 8, 1932.

L. F. EASTON DUAL PURPOSE yPUMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.7. 1930 fil/1l Oct. 18, 1932. L. F. EASTON 1,883,634

DUAL rUnPosE PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. '7. 195o 4 sheets-sheet 3 Oct.18, 1932. .V F. EASTON 1,883,634 y,

DUAL PURPOSE PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. '7. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 enne. enessn Wrseensnr Pennine Menuiserie .fn piicetien filed ehruary il,lt). derlei No. ddll rl`his inventien relates te improvements in dualpurpose pumping apperetus. I

The puriping upperatus of the present in` vention is designed primarilyfor use in eziberusting1 nir and Water oi condensation from a vacuum.steam heating system, elthou h it is applicuhle for use under other eenitions 'in which mechanism must loe provided for alternately hundlingg1liquids und gases.

The mechanism et the present invention employs a rotary pump havin@blades so designed es te operete eii'icientlly in the discharge 0i gaswhen rotating in one direction, v und in the discherge el liquidretating w in the opposite directien,

ln' conformity with the design et the roter, provision is mede forreversing the direction of the motor drive in accordance withconditions. estelolished Within the system with Which the pump isasseciated, so that when an accumulation ei' duid in the systemnecessitatcs the operation of the pump as s centrifugal liquid pump, the'meter will be switched on to rotate the pum in the correspondingdirection until the discharge of liquid has continued te a point whichnecessitates the use of the pump es a vacuum pump, et `which time themotor will he automatically switched or. te rotate the pump in theopposite direction 3 during the interval when the pump is acting as avacuum pumpn `With these ends in view, provision is mede for theactuation et e specially designed r switch by means of e float which isresponsive to the rise and fall of liquid in the system, so that theultimate control of the pump will be determined by the accumulation ofliquid within the system. ln this Way it is possible in each instance torotate the pump in the direction which secures the greatest efficiencyin. operation commensurate with the design of the rotor blades.

The pump is especially designed `tor use in connection with a vacuumsteam heating1 system, although it is equally adaptable in use for otherpurposes, but in order to clearly i1- lustrate the principles ofoperation, reference will be had in the drawings and description 50 toso much of e. vacuum steam heating system es is requisite te e fullunderstendingI el? the nature of the invention.,

For purposes ci? convenience, it will be essumed that air end erster arethe i'iuids being handled bythe pump, although it will he understood, ofcourse, inthe use et. the terms air and Weter l have in contemplationthe handling of otheri'luids under -enelogous circumstances..

Further details of the invention -will eppear from a descriptiontheieeiz, in cenjunction with the accompanyingdrevrings, Wherein theapparatus as a whole is illustrated mere or less diagra i t 1 sticelly,and vrhereinf Figure l is e side elevetion et principe features of theapparatus involved the present invention;

Fig. 2 is n sectional elevation of the pump, showing the rotor andcasing;

Fig. 3 is a View partly in section eil the Heat-tank and the switchmechanism involved in the energizing and cle-energizing et the motor;

Fig. d is a sectional elevation oi" the pump, shonung the pumpin use ese. centrifugal err or vacuum pump;

Fig. 5 is a sectienel View teken right angles to Fig. d;

Fig. 6 is a plan vievnot the switch rneehs= nisrn; and

Fi 7 is a diavram of the Wiring, meter, switc and associated pnrts.

The pump, as best illustrated in ligrs, 2, i and 5, comprises an outershell l0 ei orizontally elonwated formation, as illustrated, whichcomprises a body portion 1l end e removable head l2.

The sidewall 13 of the body portion is out Wardly bulged, as shown inFlg. 5, end the head 12 is similarly bulged and provided around itsperiphery with a Hangs ld,and secured to a shoulder 15 of the Well ofthe body portion by means of headed screws i6.

The body portion of the shell is provided with a curving outer end Wall17', u lat base 18, an inner flat end Wall 19, and e top well 20. Theconfiguration of the shell, however, may he varied, or its position'otherwise` arranged or inverted Without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

26, and so that they will tit snugly into a recess in the head 12, wherethey are secured by screws 27 in such a manner that the rotor and rotorcasing will be in true central alignment with the head 12 and itsbearing for the shaft.

heside wall 23 of the cup-shaped body 'of the rotor casing'is outwardlyextended at its center to furnish a bearing 28 which may be reinforcedby radially extending ribs 29, and the bearing recess receives the endof a rotor shaft 30, which passes through a journal boss 31 formed inthe center of the side plate and also through a bearing sleeve 32outwardly projecting from the head 12 and provided with a 'gland 33which is adapted to compress a packing 34 to seal the bearing. v l

The shaft carries a rotor comprisinga hub 35 from which extend aplurality ot curving blades 36. The blades all curve uniormly in thesame direction, and the side edges of the blades lie in close relationto the opposite sides ofthe rotor casing, a workf ing clearance onlybeing alorded.

The tips or' the blades stand in spaced relationrto lthe curvedperipheral wall 24 of the rotor casing, save on the `inner side wherethe wall is formed of a curvature of less radius to brin the wallsurface into close proximity to t e ti s of the blades, inorder toafford a block-o wall 37.

immediately adjacent to each end of the block-oil wall, the rotor casingis provided with an outwardly extending tangentially disposed nipple 38and 39 respectively, into which are entered tapering Venturitubes 40 and41 respectively. l

`In order to provide for the escape of air from the rotor chamber, eachof the side walls is rovided with an arcuately formed air disc arge port42, the inner edge of which aligns with the adjacent periphery of thehub, and each of the air discharge ports is so disposed as to bring itsinner end in substantially radial alignment with the mouth of theadjacent nipple.

immediately adjacent to the lower nipple 39 is located a small port 43which serves to provide for the indow ot water from the outer chamberinto the rotor chamber at a point adjacent to the inner terminus ot thetube 40. Air discharged through the ports 42 into the outer chamber iseducted through an air discharge pipe 44.

ln order to more fully understand the method of pump control involved inthe present invention, 1t is desirable at this point to pump itself,both when operating as a vacuum pump and when operating as acentrifugal` water pump.

It has been shown by demonstration that with the use oi curved rotaryblades of the character indicated the rotor is enabled to operateeciently as a centrifugal water pump, when the rotor is rotating 1n adirection counter to the curvature of the blades, which would beclockwise in Figs. 2 and 4, and also to operate eciently as a vacuumpump when the direction of rotation is reversed yto present the bladesin a forwardly curving direction.

lin lEi 4, which illustrates the pump conditione to operate as a vacuumump, the lower tube 40 will constitute an in et for the air, and theupper tube 41 will be closed to prevent the escape of the water ringrequired in the operation ot the pump as a vacuum pump. Undertheseconditions, with the ro-a tor turning in an anti-clockwise direction,air will be drawn into the rotor chamber at a point immediately belowthe lower end of the block-oli wall 37. At this point, the water ring issuddenly released from the confinement occasioned by the block-od' walland flies outwardly into Contact with the more extended circular wallsurrounding the remainder of the rotor chamber.

With the water thus agitated by its sudden release, the air admittedthrough the tube 40 lwill be drawn inwardly and through the water ringand into the pockets aiorded between the rotor blades, and charges ofair will thus be carried around until they 'reach the Outlet port 42which is located at a point adjacent to the upper end of the block-oftwall, at which point the water ring is suddenly driven inwardly, whichexpels the pocketed air through the ports 42 into'the outer chamber oneach side of the rotor casing, and the air is thence driven upwardly anddischarged through the pipe 44.

When the pump is operating as a centrifugal water pump, the water willbe admitted through the upper tube 41 and discharged through the lowertube 40, and these conditions will continue until the desired volume ofwater has been discharged, after which the pump will be re-conditionedto operatel as a vacuum pump and its direction of rotation reversed andthe passage through the tube 41 closed'by automatic means which will nowbe described in detail.

escasas drawings. Joining the pipe line d6 is a branch 46 leading totheouter chamber of the pump, with a check valve 46 interposed in such amanner that liquid may be drawn into the outer chamber.

rlhe pipe line 46 is provided with a check valve 48 near its lower end,which check valve constitutes a closure against the discharge of waterthrough the pipe line 41-46 when the pump is operatin as a` vacuum pump.T he lower tube 1s aligned with and communicates with a. pipe line t9provided with a check valve 50, which pi e line may lead to the boileror other point or the discharge of the water.

The header extends upwardly and connects with a vacuum pipe line 5lwhich, as shown, is connected at its upper end to a vacuum tank 52. A.return line from the radiator system is indicated at 53, which returnline discharges into the to oiz the lioat chamber through the pipesection 54.

il, vacuum tube controlled by a thermostatic valve 56 connects thevacuum tank with the return line 53 in the particularembodiment of theinvention herein shown, and a vacuum switch 57 connected with the vacuumtanlr through a pipe or tube 58 serves to cut od power from the motorwhen the vacuum has reached a predetermined degree.

rlihe water inlet pipe line lll- 46 enters the base of the float chambert7, which is divided by a wall 59 to afiord a lower or base chamber 60.rlihe wall 59, on its far side, is separated from the wall or the doatchamber and upturned to afford a wier 6l between which vand the adjacentwall is a passage 62, while near the base of the wier is a restrictedwater discharge port 62S.

d bucket float 63 operates'witbin the space v within the wier, and thebucket doet has pivoted thereto an arm 6d which connects with a rockshaft 65 which carries a counterweight 65 and an arm 66 terminatin intwo pairs ot curvedly dlverging prongs 6)?, each pair constituting a.yoke 68 tor the operation of the switch now to he described.

The rock shaft 65 is mounted within a U- shaped trame comprisingupstanding1 arms 69' and a connecting cross plate 70,.which, as shown,is supported upon a bracket 7l outstandingJ `from the wall of the floatchamber.

Above the rock shaft 65 and in parallel relation therewith is located apair of inwardly extending separated stub shafts '72 in alignedrelation, the outer ends of which are rigidly secured within theupstanding arms 69 of the U-shaped frame. Each of the stub shafts 72 hasjournalled thereon a sleeve 73, the inner end of which carries an arm 7dwhich mounts a weight 7 5. The two weighted arms are ot the sameconfiguration but are' operable independently of one another by means oinwardly extending pins 76 which ride upon the edges of the yoke arms68.

ments occasioned by the respective arms will occur in succession ratherthan simultaneously. Each of the sleeves 73 carries at its inner end across arm 77 comprising oppositely est-ending fingers 78.

The upper ends of the upstanding arms 69 of the lll-shaped frame carryswitch plates 79-7 9 preferably formed of insulating` mamounted thereonthree switch bars 80, 81 and 82, respectively arranged in parallelrelation and each pivoted somewhat otf center on a pivot pin 83, whichpivot pins also constitute terminals fior the circuits presently to bedescribed.

Each group of three switch bars coacts with a group or three terminals84 disposed in parallel alignment with the pivot terminals 83, so thatwhen a group of switch bars is swung, as a unit, from the positionindicated at the upper side-of Fig. 6, to the dotted line position atthe upper side of the same figure, the circuits will be closed throughthe contacts.

Each group of switch bars is pivoted to a slide bar 85 provided with alug 86 adapted to be engaged by the lingers 78 of the contiguous crossarm 77; that is to say, as the weighted arm swings past the vertical-medial position indicated in Fig. 3, and then falls downwardly towardits reverse position, the previously lowered linger 7 8 will ultimatelybe moved sui'iciently to engage the lug 86 and shift the slide bar 85during the final movement ot the weighted arm. Upon a reversal of themovement-of the weighted arm, the o posits Enger 'i' 8 will ultimatelyrestore the slide bar with the group of switch arms to theinitialposition.

'lhese movements of the reversal of the switches are utilized for thepurpose of reversing-the'operation ot the motor, which rotates the pumpand which is diagrammatically illustratedat 87 in Fig. 7. Theillustraterial, and each of the switch plates has 35* tion and followingdescription serve merely v to indicate the principle of operationinvolved, since the specific construction of the motor forms no part ofthe present invention, and any type of motor may be employed which can,be reversed in direction through the operation of suitably arrangedswitches.

As shown, a circuit can be established through one of the groupsoswitches between the corresponding group of pivot con`\ rection.Current is sup lied through line wires 89 controlled by switches 90which are actuated by a diaphragm 91, which constitutes the activeelement of the vacuum switch, so that the line wires can be switched onwhen the vacuum reaches a predetermined degree,

' Operation Where the apparatus is used in connection with a vacuumsteam heating system, water oi condensation delivered through the returnline ot the system willkaccumulate in the float chamber until the waterlevel has risen suthciently to litt the bucket Heat, which beingcounterwcighted will rise and fall with the water level. As the fioatrises, due to an accumulation of water, it will litt the arm 6d andimpart a swinging movement to the arm l 2g/66 carrying the yokes 68.

The swinging movement of the companion yokes will lift the weighted arms7d, one slightly in advance ot the other, until lthe float has risensuihciently to bring the weighted arms successivel past the medialpoint, which will cause a ropping of the arms and a reversal of theswitch elements. This will actuate the motor in the proper direction torotate the rotor shaft to cause the rotor to act as a centrifugal waterpump, which will serve to draw in water through the water line ifi-i1past the check valve 48, so that the s pump will begin the discharge ofwater from the float chamberthrough the pipe 49 and the check valve tothe boiler or other point of delivery. This will lower the water levelin the float chamber, and the float will begin to descend, which resultsin a reverse move? ment of the switch actuating yokes, but the switcheswill not be actuatedl until the water level has been loweredsufficiently to bring the weighted arms .in each case beyond the medialpoint, afterwhich the arms will fall in reverse direction and actuatethe switches to cause a reversal of the motor and the operation of thepump as a vacuum pump.

While the pump is operating as a vacuum pump, the outdow of waterthroufrh the water line L11-46 will be prevented by the action of thecheck valve d8, so that the proper quantity of water will be retainedwithin the rotor chamber to enable the rotor to act etectively as avacuum pump and discharge the air through-the ports 42 and through thei3 air discharge pipe 4A which is provided with a check valve 44d topermit discharge of air. The air will be admitted from the systemthrough the pipe line 51, vacuum tank 52, and vacuum tube whichcommunicates 375 with the return line 53, and the rotor will neeaeeacontinue to operate as a vacuum pump until to operate the Vacuum switch57 which shuts ed the motor, and the vacuum is maintained temporarilywithin the system b the provision of a check valve 51a in t e vacuumline 51. x

'.ln` course o time, water of condensation will vaccumulate in the floatchamber sufiiciently to elevate the float to the degree required toactuate the switch mechanism, and the rotor will then begin to rotate inthe proper direction to again discharge water of condensation.

The weiglited switch operating arms are so arranged that after one hasbroken the circuits the other does not act until the motor has stopped,but if the motor is so constructed as to be reversed wit-hout firstbeing stopped, this successive actuation is not necessary.

When, however, the successive arrangement is employed, it is necessaryto so mount the float that it will continue to fall after the pump stopspumping water. This is accomplished by the provision ofthe weir whichadords restricted communication between he upper and lower chambers inthe float tank. I Y

When the water level has dropped suci` ently to lower the Jfloat belowthe surface' of the Weir, it will be buoyed only by the l b d alithY ofwater trapped behind the weir, and'-r is point will descend slowly asthe watery behind the weir is discharged through the.

restricted aperture 62B.

Thls ultimate grad- "y,

ual descent of the Heat finally causes the second weighted arm to falland start the motor in the direction to operate the rotor pump untilstopped by the vacuum switch.

Tt will be understood that the float and switch mechanism are soarranged that the first of the' weighted arms will fall at pro er timeto stop the motor, and that the falling Auit of the second arm will bedelayed or retarded E by the ultimate gradual descent of the ioat. Thetravel of each of the weighted arms is about 210, or 105 on each side ofthe upper medial point. 1f five degrees of travel is allowed past themedial point before the weightedl arm drops, and seventy degrees fortravel after the finger 78 implnges on the projecting lug of the switchslide bar, it is apparent that there is stored up energy during 70 offalling movement in addition to the actual dead weight of the armsthemselves, which energy 1s relied upon toactuate the switches. i

The switch contacts are so placed with reference to each other, as wellas to the float,

that the irst weighted arm moves its switches to break the circuit, andthe last 'all'moves the other switches into contact to close the eachcase the edge of the arm that impinges upon the switch lug extendsradially through themotor, after being temporaril stopped, will startthe pumping of water. he pum ina' of gas at the proper time will be estalis ed automaticall The cross arms 7 are so arranged that in the pivotof the weighted arm, and this edge extends exactly atright angles to theweighted arm.

.Although the weighted arm and associated parts are here shown as usedto actiiato switches for'the reversal of a motor, the same mechanismmight be advantageously used to control mechanism other than electriclswitches for reversing the direction of rotation of the rotor, and itis not the intention to`limit the present ,invention to the use of areversing motor, since other adequate means for-accomplishing the sameresult may be employed without departing from the spirit of theinvention. ,Y

Furthermore, the use of the control mechanism herein described may beemployed for theoperation of valves or the like which serve to regulatethe inflow and outflow of gases or liquids inL such a way as to enablethe rotor to operate eiectively in the discharge either of gases orliquids, as occasionv may require. In this case the motor might not bereversed, and the operation would be similar to that in my'copendingapplication,

Serial No. 425,087, filed February 1, 1930. In such copendingapplication the valves shown and described are of a class rwhere theoperation of thevalve is through a lever handle. If, therefore, lug 86be considered as attached to the operating end of such lever handle, itis evident that the valve will be opened or closed alternately by theimpinging linger 78, thereby operating valves instead of switches in anabrupt and positive manner instead of gradually as shown and describedin such copending application. Such a substitution of valves forswitches is a mere matter of mechanical detail', and which, whileapplicant has actually tried it out satisfactorily, requires no furtherdescription.

Although as a matter of convenience and simplicity in the drawings, thepump has been shown mounted upon the float chamher, this is not only notnecessary but may be undesirable, particularly if curvature of theblades is such as to produce little if any suction when water should bepumped.

The pump may therefore be located at a lower level and in any desirablelocation with i through the check valve 46b may also be used as asuction supplyto the pump, either alone or as an adjunctLtof the Venturitube 41.

ether one or both are used depend upon the liquid pumping requirements.

Other modications in structure and arrangement may be introduced withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

s 1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotarypump designed to operate as an air pump when rotating in one directionand as a water pump when rotating in the opiosite direction, means foradmitting air an water to the pump, and means responsive to variationsin the quantity of water supplied for eiecting rotation of the pump inthe desired direction.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary umpconfigured to operate as an air pump w en rotating in one direction andas a water pump when rotating in the opposite direction, means foradmitting air and water to the pump, and means vresponsive to variationin the level of the water supplied to the pump for actuating the pump inthe desired direction.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary umpcongured to operate as an air pump w en rotatin in one direction and asa water pump w en rotating in the opmsite direction, means for admittingair an water to the pump, a fioat chamber with vwhich the water supplyline is connected, a float within the chamber, and means controlled bythe rise and fall ofthe oat for rotating the pump in the desireddirection.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary pumpdesigned to operate as an air pump when rotating in one direction and asa water pump when rotating in the opposite direction, meansfor admittingair and water to the pump, a oat chamber with which the water supplyline is connected, a float within the chamber, a motor adapted tooperate in either direction, and switch mechanism actuated by the riseand fall of the ioat for controlling the n peration of the motor in thedesired direcion.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary pumpdesigned to operate as an' air pump when rot-ating in one direction andas a water pump when rotating in the opposite direction, means foradmitting air and water to the pum a float chamber with which the watersup y line is connected, a float within the cham er, a motor adapted torotate the pump in either direction, switch mechanism and electricalconnections for energizing the motor to operate in the desireddirection, and a switch control ate the switch mechanism.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of av rotarypump configured to operate as an air pump when rotating in one directionand as a water pump when rotating in the opposite direction, means foradmitting air and water to the pump, a ioat chamber with which the watersupply line is connected, afloat within the chamber a ymotor adapted torotate the pump in either direction, two sets of switches and circuitsadapted respectively to rotate the motor in each of two directions,companion switch operating devices, each operatively connected to thefloat and adapted to actuate the associated switch in conformity withvariations in the rise and fall of the iioat.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the.

combination of a rotary ump configured to o erate as an air pump w enrotating in one direction and as a water lump when rotating in theopposite direction, means for admitting air and water to the pump, afloat chamber with which the water suppl line is connected a floatwithin the chamber, a

'motor ladapted to rotate the pump in either direction, two sets ofswitches and circuits adapted respectively to rotate theV motor in eachof two directions, companion switch operating devices, each adapted tobe moved f to a medial point and thereafter to automatically moveforward to the switch operating position, and means operativelyconnected with the float for conjointly actuating the two switchoperating devices in the desired timed relation to one another.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary pumpconfigured to operate as an air pump when rotating in one direction andas a water pump when rotating in the opposite direction, means foradmitting air and water to the pump, a ioat vchamber with which thewater supply line is connected, a float within the chamber, a motoradapted to rotate the pump in each of two directions, two circuit linesand two switches for optionall rotating the motor in either of twodirections, companion switch operating arms each ivote in proximity -tothe associated switc and each adapted to be lswung upwardlv to a'medalvposition and thereafter to fall to the switch operating 'pnsiton, anoperating yoke provided with f'gers adapted to engage and swin theswitch position,

operating arms to a point beyon the medial and connections between thelfloat andthe operating yoke for swinging the same rise and fall of waterinthe oat chamber.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary pumpconfigured to operate as anv air pump when rotating in one direction andas a water pump when'rotating in the opposite direction, means foradmittingl air an water to the pump, a float chamber with which thewater supply line is in either direction iny conformity with. thelaesaese.

connected, a fioat within the chamber, a motor adapted to rotate thepump in each of two directions, two circuit lines and two switches foroptionally rotating the motor in either of two directions, companionswitch operating arms, each pivoted in proximity to the associatedswitch and each adapted tobe swung upwardly to a medial position andthereafter to fall to theiswitch operating position, an operating yokeprovided with ngers adapted to engage and swing the switch operatingarms to a point'beyond the edial position, and connections between the.

and adapted to operate as a water pump when rotating in a direction topresent the blades rearwardl passages for admitting air and water to t ecasing, an air discharge passage in communication with the casing, meansfor closing the water inlet passage against the escape of water when thepump is operating as an air pump, and fmeans responsive to variations 1nthe amo t of water supplied to the pump for varyin the direction ofrotation of the pump.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a rotor casing rovided withv an inwardly projectingblock-o wall, a rotor within the casing having blades adapted to ioperate as an air pum when rotating ina direction'to present the ladesforwardly, and

adapted to operate as a waterY pump when rotating in a 'direction topresent the blades rearwardly, passages for admitting air and water tothe casing, an air discharge passage in communication with the casing,means for closing the water, inlet passage against the escape of waterwhen the pump is operating as an air pump, means for supplying rotativepower to the either direction, and means responsive to variations in thelevelgof water supplied to the pump for controlling the direction ofrotation, said means including a iioa-t chamber, a

float within the chamber, and connections be-- tween said iioat and saidcontrollin means.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the .combination of a pumpincluding a casing provided with a block-ofi' wall, a rotor mountedwithin the casing and having curving blades adapted to operate as an airpump when the rotor rotates in a direction to resent the bladesforwardly, and adapte -to pump for rotating the samein jected to vacuum,and connections betweenv resaca@ operate as a water pump when the rotorrotates in a direction to present the blades rearwardy, air and watersupply passages leading into the pump casing at opposite ends of theblock-ott` wall, the pump casing being provided with a laterally openingair discharge port, an air discharge passage in communication with saidport, a receptacle adapted to receive water discharged thereinto andhaving the water supply passage connected therewith, means for rotatingthe pump in either of two directions, and controlling means responsiveto the risc and fall of water within said receptacle for actuating saidpump rotating means in the desired direction.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pumpincluding a casing provided with a block-olf wall, a rotor mountedwithin the casing and having curving blades adapted to operate as an airpump when the rotor rotates in a direction to present the bladesforwardly, and adapted to operate as a water pump when the rotor rotatesin a direction to present the blades rearwardly, air and water supplypassages leading into the punlp casing at opposite ends ofthe blockofwall. thepump casing'being provided with a laterally opening airdischarge port, an air discharge passage in communication with saidport, a receptacle adapted to receive water discharged thercinto andhaving the water supply passage connected therewith, means for rotatingthe pump in either of two directions, and controlling means responsiveto the rise and fall of water within said receptacle for actuating saidpump rotating means in the desired direction, a vacuum tank with .whichthe air supply passage is connected, a connection between the vacuumtank and the supply line for the water receiving receptacle, athermostatic valve for controlling the last named connection, a Vacuumswitch in communication with a portion of the system subsaid vacuumswitch and the means for rotating the rotor for stopping the operationof the rotor when a predetermined degree of vacuum has been secured,

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a. rotorcasing provided with a block-ofi wall, a rotor within the casin g havingcurvingblades adapted to operate when the rotor is rotated in adirection to present the blades forwardly and adapted to operate as awater pump when the rotor is rotated in a direction to preesnt theblades rearwardly, air and water inlet passages entering the pump casingat oppositeends of the bloeleotf wall, a water discharge passage incommunication with the air inlet passage, the latter being adapted onoccasion te serve as a water discharge passage, a vacuum tank incommunication With the air inlet passage, a water receiving receptacle,and a Water supply line leading thereinto, a thermostatically controlledconnection between the vacuum tank and. the water suppl line, a vacuumswitch in communication wlth a portion of the system subjected tovacuum, means for operating the rotor in either of two directions, and

control mechanism actuated by the rise andA fall of water in the waterreceiving receptacle for determining the direction of rotation of therotor, and connections between the vacuum switch and the rotor operatingmeans for starting and stopping the latter in conformity with vacuumconditions.

15. In apparatus ot the class described, the combination of a pumpdesigned to operate as an air pump under one set of operating conditionsand to operate 'as a Water pump under another'` set of o eratingconditions, air and water supply lines leading to said pump, and meanscontrolled by variations in the pressure status ot fluids supplied forestablishing the desired set of operating conditionsvfor the pump.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the' combination of a pumpdesigned to operate as an air pump under one set of operating conditionsand to operate as a water pump under another set of operatingconditions, air and water supply lines leading to said pump, and meansresponsive to variations in the volume of water delivered forestablishing the operating conditions for the pump.

1.7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pumpadapted to operate as a water pump .under one set of operatingconditions and to operate as an air pump under another set of operatingconditions, means for operating the pump, means for supplying air andwater to the pump, and means responsive to variations in theaccumulation of water in the water supply means for controlling theoperation of the pump opcrating means to operate the pump'either as awater pump or as an air pump.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination ofa pumpadapted to operate as a water pump when water accumulates to apredetermined Volume and as an air pump where there is a deficiency inAsuch accumulation, a motor 'for actuating the pump, means for supplyingair and water to the pump, float means responsive to variations in thevolume of water supplied, switch mechanism and electrical connectionsfor operating the motor, to actuate the pump either as an air pump or awater pump, and connections between said float and said switch mechanismfor operating the latter responsively to variations inthe position ofthe ioat.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 14th day of January, 1930 LUCIAN F. EASTON.

